Using Interpreting New Zealand, West Coast DHB offers interpreting services for all its practices. This can be face-to-face interpreting or telephone interpreting. The service is free to enrolled patients. You can ask for an interpreter at the time of booking a consultation. Or the practice might take the initiative. Face-to-face interpreters need 24 hours' notice. Telephone interpreters are normally available in less than 5 minutes. If you would prefer a specific gender, this is usually possible.

The following factsheets explain the differences between trained and untrained interpreters: